CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – Express Women's Volleyball Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta was honored at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa by being named the North Atlantic B District Coach of the Year. It marks the third year in a row in which Aponte-Orta earned District Coach of the Year accolades.

"I am truly grateful for this award, and I share it wholeheartedly with my assistant coaches, who are always by my side supporting me and pushing our team forward," Aponte-Orta said. "We've gone through our share of challenges and tribulations, but moments like this remind us why we do what we do."

It was a successful season for Aponte-Orta and her team as she led the Express women's volleyball program to its fourth consecutive district championship and berth in the NJCAA Tournament.

Monroe – Bronx finished the year with a 20-7 record, including a 14-2 mark in the region. Monroe captured the North Atlantic B District Championship by defeating Fashion Institute of Technology in five sets back on November 1 at Falcon Hall Gymnasium.

Aponte-Orta coached four players who earned All-Region honors this year, including Cherlialix Carmona who was named Region 15 Player of the Year and is a two-time Region 15 Athlete of the Month recipient. Aponte-Orta guided Aleishka Diaz who earned Region 15 Defensive Player of the Year kudos as well as NJCAA Division III National Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Throughout the year, Aponte-Orta helped her team play competitively against the top teams in the country, including two in the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball National Tournament.

"The greatest reward isn't the trophy, it's seeing our kids grow, graduate, and accomplish their volleyball goals," Aponte-Orta said. "Watching their hard work turn into success is the real victory."

In three years as head coach of the Express, Aponte-Orta is 60-20 (.750 winning percentage) and has captured three district titles, the 2023 Region 15 Championship, and a victory in the opening round of the NJCAA Tournament against Northampton back in 2023.

"Thank you to everyone who believes in our program and continues to stand with us," Aponte-Orta said. "This one is for all of us."

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.

For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).